Wildlife October 2009

[Ragged Robin]

There are even predatory mimics that attract prey by copying their flash-pattern

So the purpose of the glow is to attract prey not the opposite sex 

[Anthony Darby]

Only in that species. Generally it is a signal to attract a mate.

[Michael J Campbell]

Generally it is a signal to attract a mate.

Should it not be a red light then.

[Anthony Darby]

 

[fredg]

A few insect shots.
1.A different (golden) colour form of the garden spider.
2. A Ladybird chrysalis
3. Sarracenia food feeding 
4.This amorous pair were suddenly consumed by a Heliamphora  ( I bet I don't hear any cries of "Shame")

[Lesley Cox]

Here are a couple of Death's head hawk (Acherontia atropos) larvae feeding on a large prickly solanaceae which had bright orange fruits.

They're really well camouflaged aren't they.
Anthony can you tell me anything about fire flies. Anyone who has been to Greece in the summer will remember with pleasure sitting outunder lime trees, and eating/drinking at the local taverna, the fireflies winking all around. We never saw any insect but their lights were charming and very pretty.

[Paul T]

Fred,

Fascinating to see the ladybird chrysalis.  I know they must have them (because they have a complete metamorphosis) but I've never seen one before.  Thanks so much.  All your pics are very cool!!  Sounds like you have a nice collection of carnivorous plants too!! 

[Anthony Darby]

Here are a couple of Death's head hawk (Acherontia atropos) larvae feeding on a large prickly solanaceae which had bright orange fruits.

They're really well camouflaged aren't they.
Anthony can you tell me anything about fire flies. Anyone who has been to Greece in the summer will remember with pleasure sitting outunder lime trees, and eating/drinking at the local taverna, the fireflies winking all around. We never saw any insect but their lights were charming and very pretty.

The European firefly (Lamprohiza splendidula) is just another species of glow-worm, but the adult male flashes in flight to initiate a response from the wingless females. Tropical ones (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Firefly) can be much larger. I have seen ones an inch long in Jamaica and they wizz through the trees like photon torpedoes, unlike the smaller dainty species. Noel Coward's house in Jamaica was named Firefly. I visited it in 1993 when it was still as it had been when Coward died in 1973. The 'room with a view' had two unplayable (then) interlocked grand pianos in it, and his clothes and toiletries were still (supposedly) where he'd left them.

[mark smyth]

I used to collect ladybirds at this stage and keep them in lunch boxes so I could see them hatch. They were very plentiful back then

[Lesley Cox]

Thanks Anthony for this information. All very interesting. I hope Coward didn't leave his clothes and toiletries lying around on the piano. In my long gone childhood, the only time my mother really clobbered me was when I put my glass of milk on the piano, a larger than baby but smaller than concert grand. My sister has it now.

[Kees Green]

Thanks Anthony for the pics of the sphinx moth caterpillars, I am a sphinx moth fan-as mentioned in a previous post, now any chance of a pic of an adult for us 

[Anthony Darby]

Thanks Anthony for this information. All very interesting. I hope Coward didn't leave his clothes and toiletries lying around on the piano. In my long gone childhood, the only time my mother really clobbered me was when I put my glass of milk on the piano, a larger than baby but smaller than concert grand. My sister has it now.

No, clothes in the wardrobe and toiletries in the bathroom.

Thanks Anthony for the pics of the sphinx moth caterpillars, I am a sphinx moth fan-as mentioned in a previous post, now any chance of a pic of an adult for us 

Watch this space.

[Olga Bondareva]

Elks... Mooses... Oh! 

[Ragged Robin]

Wonderful moments captured by you Olga 

Did anyone see the new BBC wildlife programme 'Life' last night?  Blown away by the sheer beauty of Nature in the raw and the fantastic scenes caught by cameramen/sound/production experts topped off by David Attenborough's commentary - totally thrilling to watch 

[ranunculus]

British television at it's very best, Robin ... they have all been tremendous.